Liberia Football Association (LFA) President Mustapha I. Raji’s bid for a third term faced significant opposition earlier this year when a coalition of stakeholders, calling themselves the Collaborating Football Stakeholders or Coalition of the Willing (COW), was formed with the goal of unseating him at the April 2026 LFA electoral congress.
By Edwin Dolo and Thomas Kojo Rouhla
However, five months after the coalition’s formation, Christian Weah Sr., a key figure and one of the frontrunners, has withdrawn from the collaboration, declaring his intention to contest the LFA presidency independently in 2026.
“I believe in the potential of the football ecosystem and its impact on society, and I am determined to channel my efforts toward achieving meaningful progress for the LFA and the broader football community,” Weah stated in his withdrawal letter. He emphasized his commitment to transparency, innovation, and progress for Liberian football.
Weah, who is the president of the Upper Women’s League club Stages Queens, expressed gratitude to the coalition’s stakeholders for their support, encouragement, and shared vision for the future of Liberian football.
In September 2024, Weah and Cassell Anthony Kuoh Sr. had agreed to collaborate to unseat Raji, with Kuoh positioned as the coalition’s preferred presidential candidate. However, Weah’s departure from the collaboration has fueled speculation, with one insider suggesting that Weah never fully supported Kuoh’s candidacy but joined the coalition for alleged financial benefits.
According to sources, Weah reportedly doubts Kuoh’s eligibility under LFA statutes and believes Kuoh may be disqualified due to integrity concerns. If this occurs, Raji could potentially run unopposed, leaving insufficient time for another challenger to emerge.
Kuoh, the CEO of FC Fassell, returned to Liberia last year after serving a seven-year prison sentence in the United States for defrauding individuals of millions of dollars. Under Article 45.4 of the 2018 Liberia Football Association statute, individuals with criminal convictions are barred from contesting elections. The statute states:
“The President, Vice Presidents, and Executive Committee members shall have a minimum qualification of a high school diploma. They shall not have been found guilty of a criminal offense.”
This provision aligns with FIFA’s eligibility criteria and compliance rules, designed to protect the integrity and reputation of football globally.
Despite this, Kuoh has hired a team of lawyers, including Cllr. Arthur Johnson, to challenge his ineligibility and has expressed confidence in his ability to run for the presidency.
Weah’s withdrawal is seen by many football stakeholders as a significant setback for the coalition’s efforts to remain unified leading up to the 2026 election. Kuoh, however, has accepted Weah’s resignation, acknowledging his contributions to the collaboration.
“We cannot thank you enough for all your contributions to the Collaboration of Football Stakeholders. As we strive to bring genuine and concrete reforms to the LFA, we are aware that support comes in different forms at various stages of this journey. We owe you a debt of gratitude for all you’ve done for our collaboration,” Kuoh said in a statement.
Kuoh also urged other stakeholders to stay committed to the coalition’s goal of transforming the LFA. Meanwhile, Emmett Stages Glassco, a close ally of Christian Weah, has recommitted to the collaboration, reaffirming his support for the coalition’s September 2024 agreement that endorsed Kuoh as the presidential candidate.
“As president and on behalf of our club, I hereby reaffirm my commitment to the A La Lagune Accord that produced Cassell Anthony Kuoh Sr., president of FC Fassell, as head of the ticket on 7 September 2024,” Glassco declared.
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